Phoenix Open chief responds to LIV Golf threat

It was already the wildest week in golf. 

The Waste Management Phoenix Open isn’t any normal stop on the PGA Tour and this week will be no different.

Crowds of up to 20,000 are anticipated to pack out the 16th at TPC Scottsdale, the now-iconic par-3 stadium hole that has an atmosphere akin to an American frat party rather than a golf tournament.

But this time, there’s competition.

• WM Phoenix Open: What is the capacity of the 16th at TPC Scottsdale?

• Waste Management Phoenix Open 2024: Preview, betting tips & how to watch

LIV Golf’s slogan is “Golf but Louder” and the Saudi-backed circuit will be hoping to create some noise after the season-opener in Mayakoba with a party of its own in Las Vegas.

Greg Norman’s enterprise rolls into Nevada on Super Bowl weekend and will be desperate to capitalise on sports mania in ‘Sin City’ before the Kansas City Chiefs take on the San Fransisco 49ers on Sunday evening.

And after replicating the Phoenix Open’s famous 16th with the ‘Watering Hole’ at Adelaide’s Grange Golf Club with some success last year, LIV are back again with a party hole – this time the par-3 eighth at Las Vegas Country Club.

LIV Golf has added a "party hole" to its tournament in Las Vegas this weekend — going head-to-head against the PGA Tour's Waste Management Phoenix Open.

(📸: @RipCityOriginal) pic.twitter.com/wwjNJIF72X

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) February 5, 2024

The tournament clash begs the question: Are Phoenix Open bosses concerned that the LIV’s Vegas bonanza could divert some eyeballs away from their own showpiece?

“Absolutely not,” tournament chairman George Thimsen vowed to Arizona Republic. There’s nothing that touches — especially in golf but in a lot of sporting events — that touches what we do here.

“You’ve got some great players coming here and it’s really a testament to the community. And when we talk about (the motto), ‘We Are The People’s Open,’ the players come back because of the history and the relationship that they have with us, the tournament and the fans here. And the fact that this is not like any other tournament.”

World no.1 Scottie Scheffler defends his Phoenix Open title on February 8-11, but the tournament has been dealt a blow by the late withdrawals of Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele.

Meanwhile, Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and co. head to the Las Vegas Country Club for the second stop on their 14-event calendar on February 9-11.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.